The former governor of North Dakota is promoting President Trump’s “energy dominance” agenda and wants more oil, gas and mining on public lands.

Many of the oil and gas companies Burgum developed a rapport with are certain to want things from him following his Senate confirmation to the post.

The former North Dakota governor will play a key role in carrying out President Donald Trump’s pro-fossil-fuel, anti-renewable-energy vision.

Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become Interior Secretary in the second Trump Administration. The Republican was confirmed by a vote of 79-18. Burgum served as governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2024.

The Senate voted Wednesday evening to close debate on Doug Burgum to lead the Interior Department. The former North Dakota governor is likely to be confirmed easily after the 78-20 cloture vote, with 25 Democrats voting in favor.

The Senate confirmed Doug Burgum as interior secretary late Thursday after President Donald Trump tapped the North Dakota billionaire to spearhead the Republican administration’s ambitions to boost fossil fuel production. The vote was 79-18. More than half of Senate Democrats joined all 53 Republicans in voting for Burgum.

The Senate will vote Thursday to confirm Doug Burgum for Interior secretary. The chamber will also take a procedural vote on Chris Wright for the Department of Energy. Lawmakers voted 78-20 on Wednesday evening to wind down debate on Burgum,

The North Dakota governor will oversee agencies that administer policy on Native American affairs, national parks and energy leases.